Connecticut western news., 1887-06-15
THE TWO HEROINES.
Big Stories of Two Clerks in
 the United States Treasury.
The One Noted Army Nurse, the Other
 Secretary Stewards Housekeeper

The One Noted Army Nurse, the Other
 Secretary Stewards Housekeeper.
 A Washington letter to tho Cincinnati Enquirer says: There arc now engaged in the Division of Loans and Currency of the Treasury Department at Wash ington two lady employees who have become widely known for their histori- cal experience in war times, and one gentleman who is the son of former President. --srae~s~'.s 7
 Miss Harriet P. Dame, the army nurse, who won national fame by her four years and eight months of perilous ser vice with the Second New Hampshire Regiment during the Civil war, deserves first mention. Her career has been re- peatedly published in part, but no writer who attempts to chronicle all her thrill ing, trying experiences under deadly fire on the field of battle, exposed to the contending elements of heaven, or over wounded, sick and dying soldiers in tho hospitals, need ever hope to be success full. As matter of fact, and not merely of sentiment, her history is written in scars held under her minister ing hands, in hearts to whom she by her presence and deeds brought hope and comfort amid the sufferings of war, and in the memories of stricken suffering ones, both blue and gray, for whom she cared.
 She was once taken prisoner at the second battle of Bull Run and detained a week about Stonewall Jackson's head quarters, in tent specially provided for her occupancy; but when the general found on investigation that she was not spy, as suspected, he had her released and permitted her to go undisturbed. She was sent on highly important and responsible missions at various times by the governor of New Hampshire and by other officials and organizations, each time returning with thoroughly reliable and practical reports, and often doing efficient work in securing needed re- forms in the hospital and transportation arrangements.
 For number of years since tho war her soldier friends had been urging her at different times to secure pension for her services, but she modestly maintained that she wanted the soldiers pensioned herself.
 This remarkable woman had served these four years and eight months amid all tho carnage and suffering of war for the pittancc of $6 per month allowed army nurses. By special act of Con- gross, secured by her friends, she was given pension of $25 month, begin ming on July 8, 1884. She allowed the pension to run for considerable time, then taking the amount due her and adding to the same from her modest earnings in the government service she built, at her own expense, house to be used as the future headquarters of the Second New Hampshire soldiers in their reunions at the Weirs, Lake Winnepc- saukee, N. H. This cost her 5000, and ex Gov. Smith, governor of New Hampshire at the close of the war, fur nished the house. At the close of the war the state legislature of New Hamp- shire presented her with some highly appreciative resolutions, engrossed on parchment, in recognition of her ser vices, and also presented her with sum of money.
 Sho is now scventy-two years old, and is well-preseryed woman for her age. She wears plain black dress, has we'll formed, expressive features, dark eyes and hair only partially turned to gray. Her nose and forehead are sharply and yet becomingly outlined. She is en- gagged as a money counter at $9OO per year.
 Miss Margaret Coleman, in the same division, was the housekeeper for the Seward family in Washington at the time of the assassination of Lincoln and the attempt on Secretary Stewards life. The screams of Miss Fannie Seward, who was in the room with her invalid father when he was murdcrously attacked by Payne, brought Miss Coleman to tho rescue, and when Payne heard her com ing he left MT. Seward, who in the struggle had fallen out of bed and was found by Miss Coleman between the bed and the wall, with his head still under the clothes, and smothering in his own blood. Payne had lost his hat and paused a moment to look iu vain for what was afterwards to be a silent but unimpeachable witness against him, then rushed for tho door, and, meeting Miss Coleman threw himself against her, hurling her against the door as it stood open and dislocating her shoulder blade. Further on he passed Miss Fannie ir his hot haste and made his escape.
 Miss Coleman was with the Seward family eight years, and witnessed th1 rapid decline of both Mrs. Seward and Miss Fannie, wAo never survived the shock of that terrible night of the 14tt of April, 1865. Mrs. Seward died ir June, and Miss Fannie in the fall follow ing the awful scenes of assassination in their home. Miss Coleman tells tho story as vivldly as though it had beer witnessed scarcely an hour ago. Sie i' now fifty-seven years of age, and serves as messenger at $660 year. Sh. has been in the division tive ve years,